US authorities have launched an investigation into the hacking of Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones' website after intimate photos of the actress were posted online.

The Department of Homeland Security said it was looking into the breach, which saw the comedienne's personal information including her driving licence and passport published on the site.

An image of the dead gorilla Harambe also appeared in an apparent racist insult, along with personal photos of Jones posing with stars including Rihanna, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West.

A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of Homeland Security, said: " The investigation is currently ongoing. In order to protect the integrity of the case, no further details are available at this time."

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton voiced her support for Jones, writing on Twitter: "No one deserves this - least of all someone who brings us so much joy. I'm with you."

Several celebrities including pop star Katy Perry, actress Patricia Arquette and Girls star Lena Dunham also defended the Saturday Night Live star, who quit Twitter last month after she was subjected to a barrage of racist abuse.

The American actress, who was part of the all-woman line-up in this year's remake of Ghostbusters, called on Twitter to take more action against online trolls last month.

After sharing a string of racist tweets she had been sent, Jones tweeted: "I'm not stupid to not know racism exists. And I know it will probably live on way after me. But we have to make people take responsibility."

A Twitter spokesman said at the time that abusive behaviour was "not permitted" on the site and the company relied on people reporting abuse.